Who Wrote This Book:  Moses - The name "Leviticus" indicates the subject matter pertains to the tribe of Levi, the priestly tribe.

Date of Writing:  Most likely written between 1440-1400 B.C.; covering events between 1445-1444 B.C.

Written To:   Leviticus was written to Israel (1:2).

Landscape of the Book of Leviticus:  Throughout Leviticus the people were camped at the foot of Mount Sinai in the desert Peninsula of Sinai.  God had just delivered the Israelites from slavery and taken them out of Egypt.  Now he is preparing to take Egypt (and slavery to sin) out of them.

Interesting Facts:  The theme of Leviticus is holiness.  The term "holy" (set apart to God) is the key word of the book.  Moses uses this word 87 times in Leviticus.  Leviticus 19:2 is the key verse and states the theme of the book:  "You shall be holy, For I the Lord your God am holy" (cf. Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 7:6).

Other researchers say the book is really about cultic service which the descendants of Levi would participate in.  The principle people in the book are Aaron and the priests to whom was committed the Aaronic priesthood.

Key Verses:

Leviticus 17:11; 20:7   ‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul”

17:11   “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God.  And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the LORD who sanctifies you” (20:7–8).

 19:2   "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." (NIV)

Leviticus is to Exodus what the Epistles are to the Gospels: